PASTORAL PLAN School: School Mission Statement: We, the St. Brigid community, open to transformation by the spirit; strive to develop our problem-solving skills to achieve excellence enabling us to meet the challenges of the world. We respect the uniqueness and dignity of each individual by nurturing continual growth. School Motto: Live, Love, Learn, Light Our Parish: St. Jerome Pastor: Rev. Jan Kolodynski Parish website: www.stjeromeparish.ca Message from the Pastor: Dear Parents, Students and Friends of St. Brigid Catholic School, I prayerfully invoke an abundance of Divine blessings upon the staff and especially our children that they may continue to grow in knowledge, character and faith during this new school year and throughout their lives! As always remember to pray for our parish family and ask God s blessings as we build His kingdom here. Please know that I am praying for you, and I ask for your prayers for me, that together through the intercession of Saint Brigid, our Patroness, and united in the Holy Eucharist, we will reflect the presence of Jesus to the world. Yours sincerely in the Lord, Fr. Jan Kolodynski Page 1 of 6
Message from the Catholic School Council: The mission of St. Brigid Catholic School Council is to follow our school motto: Live, Love, Learn and Light. Through the active participation of parents, we embrace and encourage events at our school, to ensure that our children continue to develop their Catholic faith within the community, school, church and home. Catholic Education Week Theme: Renewing the Promise Throughout Catholic Education Week, we ask you to reflect on the significance of Catholic education s presence and contribution in our Church, and in our society. May 6 May 12 is Catholic Education Week. Highlight activities or events planned for the Week: - Crowing of Mary with Rosary Apostolates - Intermediate Speech Competition - Junior Speech Competition - Intermediate Quebec Trip Faith Formation: Forming ourselves in our Catholic faith is a foundational element in helping each of us understand and live in the example of Christ. Please highlight the school activities that support both adult and student faith formation Adult Faith Ambassadors Youth Faith Ambassadors Monthly visits from the Rosary Apostolates School Masses (Opening/Thanksgiving, Advent, Easter & End of Year) both at St. Jerome Church and at School Advent Liturgies and Lenten Liturgies Advent Liturgies for staff Stations of the Cross Visits from Father Jan Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation Sacramental retreats Page 2 of 6
Advent retreat through Mississauga Brampton Central Family of School Faith Ambassador co-ordinates faith activities for staff Invitation to Father Jan to attend activities at the school Share Life activities i.e. Dance-a-thon Various outreach projects such as Operation Christmas Child and the Knights Table Thanksgiving Food Drive Staff Volunteer Food Hamper sorting at the Knights Table FDK Advent Celebrations with Father Jan Prayers begin each day Sacramental Preparation: As Catholics, we understand sacraments to be "outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace." Together in partnership with our parish, we support the preparation of God s children in receiving the sacraments. Event Grade 2 Grade 7 Sacrament of TBA Reconciliation Retreat TBA TBA Sacrament of Holy TBA Eucharist Sacrament of Confirmation TBA Liturgical Celebrations: The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and share in prayer. Celebration Date Opening/Thanksgiving Mass September 28, 2017 Advent Liturgies December 4 December 22 Page 3 of 6
Advent Mass December 13, 2017 Ash Wednesday Liturgy February 14, 2018 Lenten Liturgies February 17 March 30 End of Year Mass June 7, 2018 Social Justice / Outreach Activities / Charities: Catholic Social Teachings of the Church root our actions in supporting human dignity and the preferential option of the poor which calls us to serve the most vulnerable in the world. - Share Life Halloween Dance - Share Life Dress Down Friday for staff - Operation Christmas Child - Food Drives - Mitten and Hat Christmas Tree - Food donated to needy families within the school - Staff, students and community volunteering at the Knights Table - Supporting a Child in Kenya through Chalice Recognizing Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations: Framed by the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGE), our graduates will be effective communicators, reflective thinkers, lifelong learners, collaborative contributors, caring family members, responsible citizens and discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith community. Catholic School Graduate Expectations are incorporated into all aspects of the curriculum. As well, there are many opportunities throughout the school for students to display their spiritual leadership i.e. Catholic Youth Leaders, Diversity Team, Green Team, office helpers, library helpers, athletics, clubs, PALs, and dramatic productions Page 4 of 6
Celebrating Virtues: A virtue is a habit or established capacity to perform good actions according to a moral standard. When we practice these virtues we strengthen them and thereby make the presence of God more and more visible in the world around us. At St. Brigid School we celebrate and recognize our Catholic Virtues every month. Our Virtues are reflected in all of our work and are a deliberate focus in all of our classrooms. Visible Signs of our Faith: Through symbol and service, we are instruments of God s love whose work within our communities stands as a witness to our faith. At St. Brigid School, visual signs of our faith serve to remind us of God s love for us. They let all know that we are a Catholic school and that Jesus is the primary focus of our school. Visual signs of our faith are evident immediately as one walks into our school. In the front foyer there is a mosaic icon of Jesus the Teacher. Our altar and our cross are also displayed in the front foyer. Each classroom has a crucifix and Bible on display and a religious centre with the liturgical colours of the season. Seasonal symbols such as Advent Wreaths are also displayed. Resource List for Parents/Guardians: Religious Education Curriculum - Ontario Religious Education Curriculum Family Life Curriculum - Ontario Family Life Curriculum Fully Alive Program information - Ontario Bishops' information on Fully Alive Resource List for Schools: Page 5 of 6
Board Vocations Units We have Vocations units as part of the Grades 2, 5, and 8 curriculum. The goal of these supplementary units is to deepen one s understanding of God s call the vocare to various forms of life within the Church. History of the Parish Through the resource book Our Story, Our Tradition, Our Journey, grade 7 students have the opportunity to learn about the history of our parish. Enduring Gift Video Page 6 of 6